“Baihua, your health isn’t great, come, sit down, talk less!” Dragging Baihua to sit aside, not letting him reveal the truth. “It’s useless to say this now! Xiaotu hasn’t acknowledged you, and at today’s wedding, you’re not the groom!” Wangxie’s voice was not friendly, suppressing his anger.
“Ai Haoran! Where have you been? If it weren’t for the fact that you’re Lingying’s brother, I wouldn’t bother with you!” Liu Rumeng’s voice, full of fire, rang out at the door. Dressed in a purple silk dress, Liu Rumeng was stunningly beautiful, yet she strode in without any regard for her appearance, heading straight for Ai Haoran. Upon seeing Liu Rumeng, Ai Haoran’s eyes were filled with delight, but noticing her angry expression, he couldn’t help but worry for himself. “Tell me, where do you act like a brother? At your sister’s wedding, everyone is busy, but you sneak off here to do what? Wearing the groom’s attire, what are you up to?” Liu Rumeng angrily said, her cheeks flushed with anger.
“Rumeng, come, have some tea, rest a bit!” Offering a cup of cool tea in a conciliatory manner. “Oh! So it’s the big brother! Truly, childhood sweethearts, deeply affectionate!” “So it’s the big brother, I was really disrespectful earlier! Inseparable, yes, that’s right!” Listening to their barbed comments, and with Liu Rumeng still by his side, Ai Haoran felt somewhat embarrassed! He knew he shouldn’t have played this prank!
“I knew you must have done something ‘good’! It’s a small miracle the grooms haven’t been chased away by your antics.” Hearing Liu Rumeng say this, Ai Haoran was filled with frustration! Hmph, just you wait, there’s still plenty of time ahead!
The scene shifts to willows and bamboo, where a girl in red, adorned in a splendid wedding robe embroidered with gold and layered with feathery gauze, walks gracefully, her skirt swaying with each step, her figure exquisite. “You’re here.” Yang Liu Bi An, the Dragon Lord in his silver attire, looked even more handsome, yet his brows were clouded with worry. He had lost weight since they last met and lacked his usual vigor. His sunken eyes were evidence of sleepless nights. “Been busy these days?” Xiaotu asked with concern, seeing his haggard appearance. Turning around, she saw how beautifully she was dressed, her beauty stirring his heart…
Staring at her, today was her grand day, with seven grooms, but none of them was him! The words he hid in his heart never came out, for as the Dragon King, the water tribe’s patriarchal views would never allow their king to be a concubine to a woman! This was not an honor for the water tribe, even if the woman was the noble Goddess Lingying!
“It’s alright.” He smiled faintly, how could she know, he couldn’t sleep or eat from heartache… each night he tossed and turned, every day he was restless. “You look beautiful today!” He sincerely complimented, yet couldn’t bring himself to offer his blessings…
“Thank you, I’m glad you could come to my wedding! Haha, it’s getting late, I should go. Is there anything you want to say to me?” “Nothing, just wanted to give you a wedding gift.” He took out a perfectly round blue pearl from his pocket, the size of a fist, emitting a gentle blue light like a calm sea. “Wow, it’s so beautiful, thank you for the gift, I love it!” She accepted the gift with genuine gratitude. In the distance, Liu Rumeng was calling, the wedding was about to start. She hurried off, and as they brushed past each other, he caught a glimpse of her beautiful glance back, her elegant voice, and the lingering scent of cherry blossoms. She saw his hesitant gaze, his somewhat gloomy silhouette, and a sense of sorrow lingering around him.
The wedding proceeded smoothly, with extreme luxury and pomp, the most spectacular sight being the seven divine male consorts accompanying Goddess Lingying as she walked into the grand hall. Suddenly, the once noisy hall fell silent. Here is the English of the provided Chinese text:
The eight individuals approaching all possess the charm of celestial beings. Among those attending the wedding are many distinguished young noblemen, secretly harboring affections for the goddess-like figure. Who wouldn’t desire such a woman? This wedding is a grand feast for the three realms, much talked about by the world…
“It’s time to return to the room.” As soon as the words were spoken, everyone understood, and they helped Xiaotu leave the hall. Seeing that the male consorts and the goddess had all retired, the guests exchanged knowing glances; their male consorts were indeed eager!
“Gudong, where do you think they’ve gone? Are they sneaking off to play?” Still drunk, Lianlian lay in Gudong’s arms, hiccupping as she spoke. “Oh, you, I told you not to drink so much, and now you’re feeling sick, right?” Shi Rou gently wiped the wine stains off Lianlian, her indulgence deep and intoxicating.
“Hey! Ai Haoran! Did I tell you to drink so much? Now, you’re like a dead pig, passed out!” In the corridor, Liu Rumeng dragged the inebriated Ai Haoran towards his room, incessantly nagging him. Under the willow tree, Long Jun kept drinking, surrounded by empty wine jars, trying to drown his sorrows, only to find them deepening…
The night was still long… An ambiguous night, a silent night, a night of sorrow…
After a few drinks, Xiaotu, not adept at drinking, soon had flushed cheeks that made her look enchantingly charming. Under the hazy moonlight, as the candles burned out, she had unknowingly passed through the winding corridor and arrived at the bridal chamber. “I want more!” she exclaimed with a playful, sweet voice like water, grabbing a nearby wine jug and gulping down its contents. The amber liquid slid down her slender, pale neck… Her clothes hung loosely, presenting an alluring sight, unaware that she had fully awakened the “beast” within these seven men!
As garments fell, revealing her tender, snow-white body, the red veil descended… hiding the entwined limbs… With ambiguous breaths and satisfied growls… The night was indeed still long…
—End of Text—
